Xbox and Xbox LIVE
Ballmer looked back at 2009 and confirmed that Xbox and Xbox LIVE set new records:
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There are now over 39 million Xbox 360 consoles around the world, and more than 500 million games have been sold.
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Between Christmas and New Years Day, Xbox LIVE experienced its busiest week ever, adding a new member every second and a record of more than 2.2 million concurrent members online.
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Nearly 10 million people have logged into Xbox LIVE's nongaming applications — Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Last.fm, Sky, Canal and Zune — using their Xbox as a way to stay connected to friends and family.
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Xbox LIVE membership is now an active community of over 20 million people.
Windows Phones
Following the release of Windows Mobile 6.5 in October, Ballmer announced the upcoming exclusive availability of the HTC HD2 in partnership with T-Mobile USA, Inc. and HTC. Like other Widows phones on the market, the HD2 offers great customer experiences through an easy-to-use interface, extensive browsing capabilities and access to valuable services.
Delivering on the Connected Entertainment Vision
Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division President Robbie Bach followed Ballmer on stage and outlined the company's strategy of connecting the personal computer, mobile devices, television and the Internet.
In an interview before CES, Bach discussed the potential of technology to change the entertainment experience. "We've reached a point with technology where it's very feasible to listen to or watch whatever you want, whenever you want, whether on your smartphone, laptop or a connected TV in the comfort of your living room," he said. "That concept of greater control is compelling to many people. It's all about tying together these disparate technologies into a digital entertainment experience that's consistent, easy to use and relevant to consumers' needs."
Mediaroom 2.0
As part of Microsoft's digital entertainment strategy, Microsoft announced Microsoft Mediaroom 2.0, the next version of its Internet Protocol Television solution for service providers such as AT&T U-verse. Mediaroom 2.0 gives service providers the ability to offer their subscribers features such as these:
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The ability to stream live and on-demand content to the TV but also devices such as PCs and phones
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The same on-demand experience on the PC with Windows Media Center in Windows 7
Xbox Gaming and "Project Natal"
Xbox plays a multifaceted role in Microsoft's digital entertainment strategy from gaming to changing the face of social entertainment, and Bach highlighted exciting plans for 2010:
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An lineup of what promises to be blockbuster exclusive games including Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction, Crackdown 2, Mass Effect 2, Alan Wake, and Fable 3
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The release of what will likely be the biggest game of the year, Halo Reach, continuing the Halo saga
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The new Game Room on Xbox LIVE, which will be the place to relive the glory days of arcade games, with over 1000 games being released throughout the next three years.
Then Bach gave a behind-the-scenes look at the work behind "Project Natal," the controller-free gaming experience that tracks movement of the body and facial expressions, and even responds to your voice.
Scheduled to be available in holiday season 2010, "Project Natal" is only the most recent example of Microsoft's work creating natural user interfaces. Other examples include Microsoft Surface, Windows Touch and Ford SYNC, the voice-controlled, in-car communications and entertainment system that Microsoft jointly developed with Ford.
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